Page 37 of Oracle's Reign
Sophenie turned back toward where they waited, and Yslie squeezed Peroen’s hand. She was ready to step forward, but didn’t have the chance.
“What?” Triese cried out. “No! Yslie is no one. That’s why the elders chose her in the first place.”
The Speaker’s voice cut through the room. “Yslie is the oracle who would have served Prince Peroen when he became emperor?”
This time, Yslie didn’t wait. She stepped up to the podium. She faced the Assembly with her chin high. “When I was five, I was told I would be the Emperor’s Oracle after Auraelie. I was raised to step into that role when the time came, with no choice in the matter. When the treaty ended, I decided to come to Kalitalo and meet the man I would have served, this time knowing that I could walk away. But I won’t walk away from him. Prince Peroen Daitano Tjawer has my unwavering support.”
Another round of chaotic conversations, shouts, and questions without answers followed. Yslie waited. Pianti had made it clear that she shouldn’t offer answers until an Assembly member mentioned certain topics. So even though she knew most of the current debates hinged on a piece of information theAssembly members didn’t know, she didn’t try to regain their attention. She held Peroen’s hand and bided her time.
Finally, one of the humans in support of Odela got the attention of the entire room. “If Emperor Envaho has lost his mandate, but Prince Peroen has not, then the remaining issue is that the very formation of this Assembly was contingent on the prince marrying an oracle. And we all know that was meant to happen before he ascended the throne. We don’t have time to waste in choosing his consort.”
A few shouts demonstrated that the Assembly was not all in agreement that Peroen should become emperor after his father, but Yslie refused to worry about that. She spoke into the windstone once more. “I don’t think you understand. When I said I wouldn’t walk away from Peroen, I didn’t mean he only had my political support. He has my heart, just as Daitano the First had Jaesa’s.”
Peroen held up their clasped hands and kissed her knuckles. Then he spoke, his voice that of a man who would not be pushed around. “This time politics won’t stand in the way of what is right. You may debate who should be empress all you want, but understand that you have no say in my selection of a wife. Of course, I understand that the principles of the revolution must be upheld, and my wedding cannot be delayed.” He paused, looking around the room. “Which is why Yslie and I have already married.”
He ignored the shouts, and everyone quickly quieted, wanting to hear what else he had to say. “We have done our part. Now it is time for you to choose if you will do yours, or if you will be no better than the emperors who forgot that with power comes the duty to serve your people.”
